andrew: the fisher of men

andrew: the fisher of men Like his father before him and his grandfather before that, Andrew spent his days in and around the Sea of Galilee. By the time Andrew turned six, he probably climbed over every inch of the twenty-six-foot cedar and oak boat his dad sailed. At an age when most children today start kindergarten, Andrew would have already begun to learn the family trade: fishing. I can picture little Andrew at dawn on his first day of work, sitting with his dad eating a breakfast of bread and figs. Wide-eyed, Andrew is listening to his dad talk about what the day would hold and what will be expected of him. I can even see the two walking hand in hand down to the sea and Andrew carrying empty baskets to the boat to hold their daily catch. How excited little Andrew must have been and how he must have anticipated the moment he actually got to sail out with his dad and the other men. His jobs were simple this first day on the boat. He observed, stayed out of the way and helped put the fish into the basket. By the time the young boy grew into a strong man, he had worked every job on the boat and by the sea, and he was no longer an apprentice he was a master fisherman. He could follow the smell of the salty fish drying out in the hot, breezy Judean air and begin the daily negotiations to sell his catch. His defined muscles could easily manage the huge nets as he cast them out into the sea. Andrew was a fisherman through and through. Andrew fell into a daily routine. He and his brother Peter, along with James and John, worked together day in and day out to catch the fish that provided their living. One day Andrew met John the Baptist. He listened to John s message, and he recognized that John was an inspired prophet. Another time as Andrew stood with John, Jesus walked by and John exclaimed, Look, here is the Lamb of God! (John 1:36). Immediately, Andrew followed Jesus and spent the day listening to him. Andrew went back to his brother Simon Peter and announced, We have found the Messiah! (John 1:41). Andrew needed no miracle to recognize that Jesus was the Messiah, and in an instant he willingly left the only life he ever knew and loved so dearly to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. 15

Throughout Jesus ministry Andrew was there as one of Christ s trusted companions and witnesses to many inspired miracles. While Andrew himself did not need Jesus to perform a miracle to convince him, Andrew recognized the power of Christ s miracles and their effects on Jesus followers. Specifically, Andrew is mentioned in the story of the feeding of five thousand. It was Passover and the custom for the Jews to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the great feast. Thousands of pilgrims were traveling for the celebration. Many of the people had heard of Jesus and his many miracles, and they wanted to be near him. So it happened that an enormous crowd gathered around Jesus and his apostles. Phillip remarked that Six months wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little (John 6:7). Then Andrew observed There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people? (John 6:9). Jesus instructed the apostles to seat the crowd while he gave thanks for the bread and then distributed the five loaves of bread among the five thousand people with much left to spare. This was a sign for many that Jesus was a prophet among prophets. Andrew traveled on with Jesus providing companionship while learning and living the values Jesus preached. I wonder if Andrew realized he was beginning a new apprenticeship? How difficult it must have been for Andrew, after leaving all he had ever known and taking up and following a new trade, when his master tradesmen, his friend and confidant, was crucified. How difficult it must have been for Andrew to watch his friend and mentor die such an agonizing death. After the crucifixion Andrew must have felt empty and lost. Even though Jesus had told the apostles he would rise on the third day, they couldn t have possibly thought he would come back to life. It was on the road to Emmaus when Jesus appeared to the apostles that they recognized for certain that Jesus was not just a prophet, but the true Messiah. That had to have been the moment when Andrew realized he could not go back to his old life of fishing, but needed to spread the message Jesus preached. All of the patience and persistence Andrew learned while fishing on the Sea of Galilee prepared him for his calling. Andrew set forth as did the other apostles and began preaching the Word of the Lord. Eventually, his travels brought him to the seaport town of Patras, Greece, where he became bishop, but he ultimately fell out of favor with the governor and was sentenced to death on a cross. His cross, however, was shaped like an X, and he was tied to it with ropes to prolong his suffering. After a long two days his agony ended, and he was reunited with Christ. 16

the legend of saint rule In the fourth century Saint Rule (or Regulas) was sent by an angel to bring Saint Andrew s relics to a special location. Saint Rule set sail and didn t stop until he reached Scotland. The angel indicated he should land there and build a church around the relics. Then Saint Rule began his mission to teach the people about Jesus and Saint Andrew. He was successful and converted many people. Andrew became the patron saint of Scotland, and its flag has the white saltier (X) cross emblazoned across a blue background to honor him. Reflection Every time I hear the story of Andrew dropping his nets and following Jesus, I wonder, How did he know it was Jesus? I am sure I have become too cynical in my years, but if Jesus came to me today I wonder if I would recognize him? I have seen so many fallen preachers in the news that I am afraid to admit that I would most likely simply file Jesus in the same category without really giving him a chance. I have asked some of my friends this question, and they believe Andrew could feel the presence of Jesus. They believe if Jesus came back today and they were in his presence, it would be obvious who he was. Just like when he rose from the dead. He looked different on the outside, but as soon as he spoke the apostles knew they were in Jesus presence. I am impressed by Andrew s courage to leave everything he knew to follow Jesus. I think there are times in our lives when we receive personal invitations from God, but we choose not to follow. One of my college roommates was always a caring person. Her personality was a wonderful mix of humor, thoughtfulness and empathy. She was a perfect fit for a career in nursing. Instead she chose to work in a highpowered job as a computer consultant for a large corporation. (We went to school in the 80s and we were all looking for the perfect yuppie job.) After a few years at the company she became pregnant and delivered a beautiful baby girl with multiple physical problems. Her daughter spent several weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit and had many surgeries before she was finally allowed to leave the hospital. For the next several months the child was in and out of the hospital until she finally died before her first birthday. The bills were astronomical and my friend spent all of her money on her daughter s medical care. With nothing left in the bank, she made the decision 17

to quit her job and start over. She went to nursing school and is now a neonatal intensive care nurse. She is fully utilizing the talents God gave her by helping others on a daily basis. I think God had been calling her to be a nurse all along. She just couldn t take that step until she went through all she did with her daughter. Just like Andrew, it took courage for my friend to leave all that she knew and accept the call to a new life. The story of the fishes and loaves has been told countless times. I love to imagine the looks on the pilgrims faces when they found out that all of the food provided came from five loaves of bread and two fish. A high school teacher of mine once posed the question, What if everyone in the crowd had brought food that day but was afraid to share it because they knew there wasn t enough for the entire audience? What if the miracle was that God inspired everyone to share? I always loved that idea because it suggests that we can help make miracles. I think every day we are presented with opportunities to make mini-miracles. When I am standing at the checkout counter and the cashier growls something at me, I have the choice to growl back or to smile and try to say something to help him have a better day. If I can succeed at turning that one person s day around, how many other people might I affect? If I have made the cashier happy and he smiles and is nice to the rest of the people he waits on that day, in my opinion, that is a mini-miracle. God uses us as instruments to accomplish God s work. We just have to listen to God as Andrew listened to Jesus. Saint Andrew s Fisher of Men Meal Inspired Menu This meal of salmon with maple soy glaze, baked sweet potato with cinnamon and honey and asparagus salutes Andrew s life as a fisherman and a fisher of men. Although salmon is not a fish Andrew would have eaten, it is popular, tasty and easy to find at most grocery stores. The Saint Peter s Staffs (asparagus) recognize Andrew s brother, who was with him throughout his travels with Jesus. The fig cake for dessert incorporates figs and dates that are so plentiful near the Sea of Galilee. 18

Saint Andrew s Salmon With Maple Soy Glaze Serves: 6 Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 15 minutes Preheat oven: 400º F 21 2 to 3 pounds salmon fillets 11 2 cups pure maple syrup 1 cup low-sodium soy sauce 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard 3 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (found in the Asian section of the supermarket) Place salmon fillets skin side down in a 9x13-inch glass baking dish. In a separate bowl mix maple syrup, soy sauce, Dijon mustard and chili garlic sauce. Pour this marinade over the salmon. Bake in oven for 10 15 minutes. The thicker the salmon, the longer it will take to bake. The salmon will be ready when it flakes easily and looks opaque in the center. Andrew s Sweet Life Baked Sweet Potatoes With Cinnamon and Honey Serves: 6 Prep time: 5 minutes Cook time: 50 minutes Preheat oven: 400º F 6 medium size sweet potatoes 6 tablespoons honey cinnamon to taste Wash sweet potatoes, and prick three or four times with a fork. Place in oven and for 40 50 minutes. The potatoes will be ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork. Remove from the oven and cut in half lengthwise. Sprinkle with cinnamon then drizzle each sweet potato with about 1 tablespoon honey. 19

Saint Peter s Staffs Serves: 6 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 10 minutes Preheat oven: 500º F 18 asparagus spears, cleaned and stems removed 9 paper-thin slices proscuitto 3 tablespoons butter, melted 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt 1/8 teaspoon dried oregano 1 2 teaspoon lemon zest 3 tablespoons shredded Parmesano-Reggiano cheese Wrap each asparagus spear with a half slice of proscuitto and then place into a 2-quart baking dish. In a medium bowl mix melted butter, garlic salt, oregano and lemon zest. Pour the butter mixture over the asparagus. Bake the asparagus for 7 10 minutes. The asparagus should be cooked but somewhat crisp. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with Parmesan0-Reggiano cheese before serving. Galilee Fig Cake Yields two 9-inch cakes (12 14 servings) Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 30 minutes Preheat oven: 350º F Note: The cake can be baked a day ahead of time. If two cakes are too much for your gathering, wrap one in foil and plastic wrap and freeze for up to two months. Cakes 1 (9-ounce) package of dried mission figs, stems removed 3 4 cup water 1 4 cup sugar 3 4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 20

3 4 cup canola oil 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 large eggs 1 2 cup buttermilk 13 4 cups all-purpose flour 11 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 2 teaspoon salt 1 2 teaspoon baking soda 1 (5.1-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix 2 teaspoons cinnamon 1 large Granny Smith apple, skinned and chopped Topping 1 2 cup brown sugar 1 2 cup all-purpose flour 1 2 cup quick oats 1 2 cup chopped pecans 4 tablespoons melted butter (about half of a stick) Place figs, water, sugar and cinnamon in a large, covered saucepan and bring to a boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool for at least 10 minutes. Place in a food processor. Pulse the figs for 10 seconds until a chunky sauce forms. In a large bowl combine oil, sugar, vanilla, eggs and buttermilk with a mixer on low for 2 minutes. In a separate bowl sift together flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, vanilla pudding mix and cinnamon. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet. Pour the fig mixture into the batter and stir to combine. Stir in chopped apple. Pour the batter into 2 greased 9-inch cake pans. Pour the brown sugar, flour and oats into a large bowl and stir to combine. Add the nuts and butter and stir with a fork until a crumbly topping forms. Sprinkle this on top of the cakes. Bake for 40 45 minutes. Cover the cakes with foil for the last 20 minutes of baking to avoid burning. Let the cakes sit for 10 minutes before removing them from the pans. 21

Dinner Conversation Copy the following questions on pieces of paper and put them in a bowl and place on the table. While people are eating, pass the bowl around and have each person pull out a question. Everyone can take a turn answering the questions. 1. Do you think you could recognize Jesus if he came today? Would you be open to hearing his Word? 2. Describe an opportunity you had to make a mini-miracle. 3. Do you think you are doing what God is calling you to do? 4. Do you think you could have lived the life of an apostle? 5. If you were Andrew, would you be able to drop your nets and follow Jesus? Saint Andrew s Meal Prayer Christ Has No Body Christ has no body but yours, No hands but yours, No feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ s compassion must look out on the world. Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good. Yours are the hands with which He is to bless us now. 1 Attributed to Saint Teresa of Avila Note 1 The Roundtable Association of Diocesan Social Action Directors, Living God s Justice: Reflections and Prayers (Cincinnati: St. Anthony Messenger, 2006), p. 132. 22